Tawny Owl

Tawny Owls are mostly carnivorous, opportunistic predators, primarily feeding on small mammals such as voles, mice, and shrews. They also consume birds, amphibians, snails, beetles, worms, and large insects.

These owls swallow their prey whole, later regurgitating pellets containing indigestible parts. Hunting occurs at night, when they glide silently over their territory or stand motionless on a favourite perch, watching and listening for their next meal.

Tawny Owls are strictly nocturnal, roosting during the day in dense foliage or tree cavities. They are highly territorial, with pairs defending their territory year-round. These owls hunt from perches, swooping down silently to catch prey on the ground or in mid-air.

Remember that Tawny Owls can be very aggressive, particularly during the breeding season. They will often attack unsuspecting creatures, including humans, that they consider a danger to themselves or their offspring, so take care and avoid the immediate vicinity of nests.

The Tawny Owl's call is one of the most recognisable owl sounds in Europe. The male's hooting call is a resonant 'hoo-hoo-ooo', often answered by the female's sharper 'kee-wick'. During courtship, pairs may engage in duets, with the male hooting and the female responding.

This has often been interpreted as a ‘ta-wit ta-woo’ sound where, in fact, the female’s ‘kew – wick’ sound is made first (‘ta-wit’) followed by the male’s response of ‘hooo’ (erroneously described as being ‘ta-woo’).

This archetypal owl noise is often used in films to create a spooky atmosphere at night, and it has come to epitomise the genre even though the Tawny Owl may not be a resident of many of the portrayed locations.